I use multiple choice in order to assess the students' knowledge in various areas.
Hi Mary Ellen, Thanks for your post to the forum. That is a very appropriate choice of assessments! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
The criteria I use for selecting testing formats depend on my objectives/goals. I might proctor a comprehensive exam with T/F, M/C, Matching, Fill-in-the-Blank, and Short Answer….or; I might give a “hands-on†lab practical.
I use multiple choice when testing theory because it covers more content and it reduces guessing.I use skill application when testing for proficency.ex.foley catherization.
Teaching Therapy students requires a variety of methods from written (essay) to skill (practical exams. Knowledge and skills are required to become a good therapist.
I prefer testing students using a wide range of formats from MCQ, to T/F to matching, short answers, and diagrams.
When selecting test formats I look at how well does this fit my need and how does it fit my subject? A multiple choice for a math exam does not work as well as for a vocabulary exam. Also I do look at how long is this going to take me to grade and is there the opportunity for a student to transpose their answers from the exam to an answer sheet per say.
Hi Kathleen, Thanks for your post to the forum. Your assessment strategy is excellent! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
In order to select the appropriate test format I first consider what material I will be testing. I also consdier the time that the students ahve in order to complete the exam. Depending on where the students are in the program I may choose a multiple choice test if the students are just starting the program and they need to be testing on recall of facts. If they are farther along in the program when they need to start applying and interpreting concepts, I may choose more of a short-answer format.
The criteria I use when deciding which test format I want to use is all dependent upon what type of information the student is being tested on. If I am testing them on how to do a head-to-toe assessment, I will used skills application testing. If I am testing for content knowlege, I will use a variety of testing formats.
Hi Dawn, I agree that we definitely need to base assessments, of any type, on what has been taught. As we know students will gauge their knowledge on what they can do (hands-on). Of course we know that they must "know" before they can "do". Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
My students become accustom to what and how a teacher tests. I like to mix it up to assure they know the material. Students do not like that and complain.
Since we are a career school we start with objective testing and progress to skill application tests. The courses start with terms and mathmatical formulas - which are more easily tested through the objective method. The actual hands on testing seems to be the favorite of the students since they feel that is preparing them directly for their field of interest. I think you need to gage based on the materials taught and what specifically you want to measure.
A mixture is great but mostly Kinesthetic would be chosen which will exhibits the student's ability to incorporate the use of all learning skills.
Given the field of study that I instruct, I prefer a very "hands on" assessment, but in order to know that the students have also understood and retained facts from the text, the "Hands On Skills Assessment" paperwork will include some matching of terms with descriptors, some short answers (where I look for specific "bullet points"), and some completion (where students are required to research and fill in specifications, etc...). I believe testing should be well rounded and cover the material in a variety of ways.
We use written test formats due to the class content, which shows thestudents knowledge and skills of the subject matter.
Hi Kerry, That does indeed sound challenging Do you use a grading rubric?
Susan Polick
I have to test for skills since I teach Massage Therapy. I have to design my "test" to show the appropriate type of massage we are working on, the timing, proper body mechanics and proper use of the strokes. It is very subjective. I have to observe multiple people at once so it is a challenge.
Hi Robin, That absolutely makes sense! The more aware of expectations, the better students can strive to perform. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Make sure that you have covered all of the information that is going to be on the test.
